Max De Pree, an American businessman and writer once remarked: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” Philippians 2:5-7 reminds us: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
A servant is defined as a person who regularly performs duties for others, especially someone employed in a house on domestic duties or as a personal attendant. For the rich or noble, servants have always been commonplace. They are frequently engaged in the arduous or repetitive menial duties of life which may include a multitude of tasks such as waiting at table, washing clothes or bodily parts, ironing, cleaning, cooking, etc. The list is endless. Their usage dates back many centuries and often was not always defined by color or creed.
It has been said that some are born to lead and others to serve. But what is considered the more important role? The Bible informs us that Jesus Christ regarded Himself as a servant, and yet there was no one of more importance than Him. If an earthly existence of God can wash and cleanse the feet of His disciples, to what measure of servility does that suggest? John 13:1-17 reminds us: “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.
He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Service often requires two important characteristics of life. These primarily functionalize the existential virtues and foundational values of humility and sacrifice. Both require strong and sustainable elements to perform well and require placing less importance on the values of oneself by transferring that worth into the fulfillment of others. This can increase discernment and appreciation of the true benefits of God. It was one of the prime objectives in the ministry of Jesus Christ, to bring more knowledge and understanding through service of the true rewards of a new life with God. Revelation 2:1-5 reminds us: “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”
Leadership with humility may be considered reverence in rank. It contains the necessary managerial qualities of personal authority with the acknowledgment that a human does not possess all the facts of life, whatever his role or position. There is still scope to learn and acquire the benefits of wisdom and knowledge, but perhaps more importantly, it allows for the appropriate granting of respect, to an appointed position of another, even if that person is regarded as a mere servant.
Jonathan Edwards, an American theologian and philosopher once remarked: “God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.”
The reverberation of Christ’s term on earth leads us to the ever-open doorway of heaven. His endurance and suffering aid the removal of the stumbling blocks of life and allow relatively free passage to the gateway of eternal life. It dictates that the struggles of life will become a distant memory with no lingering pain or heartache. Revelation 21:4 reminds us: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Jesus never sought thanks for His good works and teachings, these were provided through the love of God for the benefit of mankind. As a leader of men, He encountered much opposition from others, but with strength and fortitude strove to accomplish His assigned tasks and intentions. Thus we now live in a world where even after death, life continues until the end of time itself, which is unceasing.
Reality is defined as the state of things as they actually exist. It is not wishful thinking or even a hope of good things to come, it is the satisfaction, gratitude and knowledge that through the actions and sacrifices of a divine individual, who loves us, we can now look forward to eternal life in the pleasure and company of a considerate and caring Father who wishes to share His special home with all those who seek it.
Hospitality is considered another principal function of service. To open the doors and greet others may be one of the assigned tasks of a servant into the house of God or any individual dwelling place, but it can provide enrichment of life. It symbolizes the saying of: “What’s ours is yours.” It displays love, friendship and unselfishness. It is considered the open arms of God that unite. 1 Peter 4:9-11 reminds us: “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.”
Amen.
